Tent.



R. A. WHALL.

TENT.

APPUCATION FILED APR. 14. I917.

1,260,612. Patented Mar. 26,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- R. A. WHALL.

TENT. APPL|CA TION FILED APR. 14, I917.

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. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- IIHIIIIHHHHIH Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

R. A. WHALL.

TENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. l4, I917- Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

m @J@@@'@@ W M244 w w RICHARD A. WHALL, 0F ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS.

TENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 26, 191%.

Application filed April 14, 1917. Serial No. 161,981.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD A. WHALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Athol, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tents, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is embodied in a tent structure adapted to be folded in the form of a blanket roll and carried by a soldier, and to be erected or adjusted for use either by itself to form a tent to shelter one man, or with a duplicate tent structure to form a tent to shelter two or more men, each structure constituting a unit of a sectional tent, so that two soldiers, each carrying a unit, may combine their units into a tent accommodating both.

The invention is characterized chiefly by the improvements hereinafter described providing for the conversion of the said tent structure or unit, when used alone, into a shelter tent closed at one side and at both ends (the other side being open) and having a floor forming a part of the structure, or into a floorless shelter tent closed at both adapted to be assembled to form a relatively large tent either with or without a floor.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,--

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tent structure embodying the invention, erected or adjusted as a shelter tent, closed at one side and at both ends and open at the opposite side.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing two units adjusted as shown by Fig. 1, and assembled to form a tent closed on all sides, the structures shown by Figs. 1 and 2 including a floor portion.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2"'2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the two units assembled to form a fioorless tent, adapted for oflicers or hospital use.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a single unit, erected or adjusted. to form a floorless shelter tent closed at opposite sides and partly closed at the ends.

Fig, 5 is a perspective view showing the unit erected or ad usted to form a fioorless shelter tent open at one side only, and having a canopy projecting from the op'enside.

Fig. 61s a plan view showing a portion of a; tent structure or unit spread out 111 a strip of strong tape, tion of the extension fiat condition preparatory to being folded into a blanket roll.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 7- 7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the unit completely folded and in condition to be rolled to form a so-called blanket roll.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a roll formed by rolling the unit while it is in the condition represented by Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows the blanket roll illustrated by Flg. 9, doubled upon itself to reduce its length.

Fig. 11 is a section on line 1l-l1 of Fig. 8.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

A tent structure or unit embodying my invention includes a substantially rectangular body composed of the portions 12, 13 and 1d of any suitable fabric, which may be w aterproofed or not, and either made in one plece, Or in a plurality of pieces stitched together.

To opposite ends of the portions 12 and 13 are attached substantially triangular flies or end portions 15. sides and ends, two of sand unlts belng The outer edge of the portion 12 is provided with a flange or extension 16 forming one side of a ridge or pocket, as best shown by Figs. 6 and A reinforcing member 16 which may be either a small rope or a is secured at the junc- 16 with the body portion 12, as indicated by Figs. 6 and 7.

To the body is attached at one edge a flexible strip or flange 17, extending parallel with the edge having the extension 16 and adapted to perform different functions, as hereinafter described.

A tent structure or unit constructed as described, is adapted to be erected or adjusted for various useful purposes, as I will now describe.

Fig. 1 shows the structure or unit erected to form a shelter tent having an inclined wall formed by the portion 12, a vertical wall formed by the portion 13, a floor formed by the portion 14, and ends formed by the flies or end pieces 15. The flange 1? projects from the obtuse angleformed by the intersection of the portions 12 and 13, and constitutes an eave strip having the same inclination as the portion 12, and adapted to conduct water outwardly from the portion 13. The structure may be supsite inclined side wall.

ported by vertical poles 20, inserted at their lower ends in the ground, the upper ends projecting into the pocket at the ridge of the structure. Suitable guy ropes 21 and 2 may be provided and these may be con nected with pegs 23 driven into the ground.

.Fig. 2 shows a tent formed by assembling two of the units erected as shown by Fig. 1, the iloor portions l of said units meeting and forming a continuous floor. The meeting edges of the portions 14 may be laced together, or otherwise connected. As a means for securing lacing cords I have shown the outer edges of the portions let provided with holes reinforced by eyelets or gromets The extension 16 of one unit overlaps the extension of the other unit, as shown by Fig. 9., said extensions forming a ridge composed of a plurality of thicknesses. The extensions 16 and the body portion 12 are provided with coinciding holes 25 and 26 (Figs. 6 and 7) to receive lacings or fastening cords. The flies 15 are provided with holes 27, preferably arranged in two series, as shown by Fig. 6, and adapted to receive lacings whereby the iiies of the two units may be laced together, or the flies of one unit may be laced to the poles 20. In this embodiment of the invention the guy ropes 21 may extend outwardly from the opposite ends of the tent.

Fig. 8 shows a tent adapted for oiii'cers or hospital use, the ridge being elevated sufii'ciently to convert the portions let into ex tensions of the portions 13, said portions '13, and 14: forming vertical walls and the tent being fioorle'ss. 'lhe vacant 'spacesat 30 be low the flies 15 may be .iilled in by pieces provided for that purpose.

Fig. tshows a floorless tent formed by a single unit or structure, the flange 17 being at the top of the tent and forming a ridge. The body portion 1? forms one 01- the in clined side walls of the tent, and the portions 13 and l l' collectively form the oppolhe flies 15 extend across and partially close the ends of the tent, each tly partially overlapping the inclined portion 19;, as indicated by "dotted lines in Fig. l,

Fig. 5 shows a single structure or unit erected or adjusted to form a shelter tent open at one side and having a horizontal awning, formed in part by the portion 1 1, and in part by the portion 13. The portion 12 and flange 17 collectively form an in clined wall, and "the flies .1 5 form the verti'c'alsides 'of'the t nt. The body oi the tent is supported by vertical poles 31 and guy -.'rop'e's 32, and the outer end of "the'awning is supported by vertical poles 33 and guy Tropes 3 The portion 14 may be detached i'r'om the poles '33 and adjusted to close the P ain't-side of the tent.

Kline alEMYVohlGEBlHblld unit :ts .edeptedto be conveniently folded into a compact roll which may include a blanket, the unit being first spread out fiat as indicated by Fig. 6, then folded as indicated by Fig. 8, then rolled as indicated by Fig. 9, and finally doubled as indicated by Fig. 10, to reduce the length of the roll.

Four units erected as shown by Flg. 1, may be assembled to form a hollow square or Wigwam, so that a small fire built in the said square will radiate'heat and light :tor the occupants of the several tents.

A. tentrerected or adjusted by each of the figures of the drawing is accessible from either the 'front or the rear end, so that in the event of a sudden call for action confusion is obviated.

The portion 19., as shown by Figs. 1, 2, and 3, constitutes an inclined wall or root portion, and the portion 13 constitutes either a relatively low vertical. wall portion, as shown by Figs. 1 and 2, or a part of a relatively high wall portion, as shown by Fig. 3, the flange or flanges 17 being located at the intersection of the said roof and wall portions and coiiperating with the ropes 22 in maintaining the angular relation of said portions.

The portions 141 as shown by Fig. 2, constitute a sectional floor, covering the entire ground area of the tent, while as shown by Fig. 8, said portions .14 constitute parts of the relatively high vertical wall. The exttei'isions 16 atthe upper edge of each roof portion 12, and suitable tastenings engaged with the holes 525 in said extensions, constitute means for engaging the upper edge of "the other roof portion, and the holes 2e in the "outer edge or each :fl'oor portion 14, and suitable fastenings cooperating with said holes, constitute insane for engaging the f'eorresp'onding ecjge oi the other .i'ioor por- 'tion.

The portions .13 and .14 constitute a con "vertibl'e extension of the portion 12, that part of said extension which is formed by theportion 14, having ii'ree lateral edges 1, 3., Figs. 3 and 4, and a free longitudinal edge .2, between the lateral edges. Said convertible extension is adapted either to be bent, to form a relatively low vertical wall and a horizontal floor as shown by Figs. land 2, or to be vertically disposed and form a relatively high vertical wall as shown by Fi 3. The flies 15 are permanently attached only to'the "portions 12 and 13, and are free from permanent attachin'entto the extension portion ill, "the free edges 1, 1, being there fore independent ot the flies.

lclaiin':

Li. convertibleztentstructure"comprising a substantially rectangular body of sheet .ini'aterial including an iinclin'edwall portion .19., and :alconvertibl'e extension joined there- A mend having -tree lateral and :heee

longitudinal edge between said lateral edges, said convertible extension being adapted either to be bent to form a relatively low vertical wall and a horizontal floor, or to be vertically disposed to form a relatively high vertical wall, and substantially triangular flies attached to opposite edges of the portion 12, and to portions of said extension, said flies being adapted to cotiperate, as shown, with the portion 12 and the convertible extension, said structure being adapted tor use as a relatively small tent, and as a unit of a larger tent.

2. A convertible tent structure comprising a substantially rectangular body of sheet material including an inclined wall portion 12, and a convertible extension joined thereto and having free lateral edges and a free longitudinal edge between said lateral edges, said convertible extension being adapted either to be bent to form a relatively low vertical Wall and a horizontal floor, or to be vertically disposed to form a relatively high vertical wall, a flange strip attached to the body at the junction of the portion 12 with the convertible extension, and substantially triangular flies attached to opposite edges of the portion 12 and to portions of said extension,said flies being adapted to cotiperate, as shown, with the portion 12 and the con- \ertible extension, said flange being adapted to engage guy ropes and form an eave strip which is continuous with the portion 12, said structure being adapted for use as a relatively small tent, and as a unit of a larger tent.

3. A convertible tent structure comprising a substantially rectangular body of sheet material including a wall portion 12, having at one edge an extension 16 forming one side of a ridge which is internally reinforced, and a convertible extension joined to the opposite edge of the portion 12 and having free lateral edges and a free longitudinal edge between said lateral edges, said convertible portion being adapted either to be topics of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner bent to form a relatively low vertical Wall and a horizontal floor, or to be vertically disposed to form a relatively high vertical wall, and substantially triangular flies attached to opposite edges of the portion 12, and to opposite ends of the extension 16, said flies being adapted to cooperate as shown, with said portion 12 and said convertible extension, and said extension 16 forming, with the portion 12 and the said flies, a tent peak and a pole-engaging pocket, said structure being adapted for use as a relatively small tent, and as a unit of a larger tent in Whichthe extension 16 of one unit overlaps the extension 16 of the other unit.

4. A convertible tent structure comprising a substantially rectangular body of sheet material, a flange strip 17 attached to said body between two opposite edges thereof, the said body including a portion 12 extending in one direction from the flange strip and adapted to form an inclined side wall, and portions 13 and 14 extending in the opposite direction from said strip and adapted to conjointly form either a rela tively low vertical wall and a floor, the flange forming an eave strip, a relatively high vertical wall, the flange forming an eave strip, an inclined side wall having an opposite inclination from the side wall formed by the portion 12, the flange forming a ridge strip, or a horizontal awning projecting from the upper edge of the inclined wall formed by the portion 12, the flange forming an extension of the last-mentioned portion, and substantially triangular flies 15 attached to the other opposite edges of said body and adapted to form vertical triangular walls, said structure being adapted to form either an independent shelter tent of various forms, or a unit of a larger tent, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

RICHARD A. WHALL.

or Yatenta,

Washington, D. G. 

